newbie with airstill

[Jakejohn1]

Hi just looking for some general guides and help as a novice in using the airstill,I have done two washes with my airstill and very happy with the results used 6 kg Kane sugar+turbo yeast +Carbon sachet I took the 1st 700 ml from each 4litre run from the airstill and diluted down to 40% with distilled water then run through the carbon filter and flavoured. I read on the forums that you discard the 1st 50ml ? But the instructions with the airstill did not mention this ? On another post it says take 1.5litres from each still run which will give you 9litres and then goes through a heads tails process ? Got a bit confused and lost with all this ? Can anyone help with explaining this in baby talk please.

Also read a post on putting raisins in the fermenting wash ! .Can I do this in the wash I am going to put through my airstill ? Or am I getting too far ahead of my self?

Any help much appreciated.

[Almanac]

OK! You need t o step away from that Airstill

Go here viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3436 and download the pdf called "Airstill Brief.pdf", read it twice and start again, you'll be happy you did.

Once you've digested the Guide come back with anything that's not clear and we'll get it sorted for you.

BTW Welcome to our merry band of brothers - sometimes too merry but who cares

AM

[Jakejohn1]

Hi many thanks for your quick reply and have rad the PDF and will read read again which has really helped I am surprised this is not in the airstill instructions but maybe that is because of the time it takes and as we all know times money and Airstill want you turning out washes as quick as possible to sell there products.
I a looking forward to this forum as I progress with my spirit making I must admit I have found the whole process fascinating ! I love it !
Once again many thanks.

[chill]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head as to why the instructions that come with the still are the way they are. It will get you drunk (and split your skull in the bargain) but you can do much, much better. No need to drink something inferior when you control the whole process.

Enjoy!

Chuck

[Jaggie]

the secret is Read then Read again then search then REREAD again. The reason for doing this is good it will save you cash and embarrassment. I haven't been here long either so WELCOME to a really nice place.
Jag

[Easydrinker]

I know that we may seem a boring bunch,on this site,imploring you to read,but really,most of the stuff that you need to know,for starters,is already written,here.
The search box,top right,will yield much information.
Anything you don't find,then ask,a knowledgeable member almost sureably will be along shortly,and try to help.
Welcome,and have fun with your new hobby.

Robert.

[tomerus]

Sorry to hop on in on this thread. Bought me an Smart Still last week. Haven`t used it because I`m still waiting for my first wash to finish. I`ve read the Airstillbrief pdf guide and was VERY helpful to say the least.. I do have a question and sorry if it`s already mentioned a 100 times on this board. 1. With the striprun..Can I turn my Smart Still on full power? (smartstill has adjustable power) 2. About the tails.. When is a good time ABV wise to stop collecting during the spirit run. Sorry to ask but the answers differ some. and since my nose doesn`t know the first time what to look for I wanted to ask you guys. Thank you in advance

[Mash]

Please don't apologies for asking questions - thats what the forum is for.

Now I am going to ask you one - "Smartstill has adjustable power" - this is news to me. None on mine have.

How does this work? And what does the label say is terms of power rating?

[tomerus]

thank you. It has an adjustable turn able knob on the side which makes the fan go faster or slower and makes the boiler go hotter or cooler.

[chill]

Do the stripping runs on full power. That control does not make the boiler go hotter, it puts more energy into the heating element which results in a larger volume of steam which then requires a faster fan speed to turn so much steam back into liquid. The temperature of the boiler is 100% dependant on the percentages of what is being boiled and will change (increase) as more of the alcohol and other components boil off.

You can not make cuts by ABV, only by taste. With my AirStill, when the ABV drops to about 70 or a little lower, I switch from the main hearts jar to smaller 100ml jars. Those smaller jars are then taste tested after airing to determine where the tails start to be tasted.

Chuck

[tomerus]

Thank you Chill!

So what you`re saying is just collect until it smells real bad? So there isn`t a fixed answers that says ie. stop collecting when your spirit run hits 20% abv?
Sorry fot the newbie questions

[chill]

Maybe I did not understand your question. I though you were asking when tails would appear, my answer was to that question with respect to the ABV. If you are asking when to shut off the still, I'd say when the output is between 20 and 30%. Any lower than that and you are wasting electricity and would be better off starting a new wash. I usually stop around 30% as the smell is not great and I'd rather start a new wash and have some time back rather that wait for 20% ABV to slowly drip out of the AirStill. There is no wrong time to stop, it is a simple equations of diminishing returns.

Chuck

[Mash]

Still facinated by variable control. What is the rating of the unit please. I can't find these for sale anywhere.

[tomerus]

@Chill

Thank you that was my question indeed. When to stop collecting. Great answer.

@Mashy

Away with the kids now..will come back to it
..